My Papa, my paternal grandfather who I knew as James Forsyth, was the reason for my "START" in genealogy and family history research.
I knew he came to Australia from New Zealand but he never spoke about his life or family there apart from a few snippets.
- He had come to Australia from Rangiora, New Zealand in the early 1930s taking horses to the Melbourne Show and never went home or contacted his family there again.
- He was one of 9 children.
- He used to bicycle around the South Island with his brother. (now that's a long ride!)
- There was a Scottish General in the family (I have not to this day found him!)
- There was an astronomer in the family (yes he was a brother in law)
His story was also the "START" of my blogging venture with my first ever post in February 2012.
There is also a link to a follow up written only last year after another "START" for me in genetic genealogy (DNA for genealogy)
You can click on the link below to read those stories.
WHAT STARTED MY GENEALOGY JOURNEY?
G'day Kerryn,
ReplyDeleteSo often it is our grandparents who get us started by telling us just enough to get curious and want to know more. I know my grandmother told me her grandfather was black because he had been in the sun too long on his whaling boat.
Yes, different times and standards, they were pretty tight-lipped in those days weren't they Sue!
DeleteMy grandfather was also the reason I started my gene journey last year. We knew nothing about him. Now I feel a bit closer and more understanding of who he was.
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